The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revised the Ajax infantry fighting vehicle program contract with the manufacturer to speed up the delivery.
The 5.5-billion pound ($7 billion) program is eight years behind schedule, over budget, and faces design issues, including excessive vibration and noise.
Responding to written parliamentary questions, Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said that “as a result of revised contractual terms with MoD, General Dynamics UK have introduced a number of measures designed to improve the delivery rate.”
Revised Contractual Terms
The measures include “extending the current shift patterns and building contingency throughout the production schedule.”
It also includes “optimizing the build line to balance activity and recruitment of additional resources to anticipate potential pinch points in the schedule.”
There has also been an increase in “collaborative practices, such as the introduction of joint acceptance, to reduce overall timelines.”
Ajax Infantry Fighting Vehicle
The General Dynamics UK vehicle is part of the British Army’s warfighting modernization process, providing enhanced lethality, survivability, reliability, and mobility to infantry fighting units.
The Ajax will primarily be deployed with Armored Brigade Combat Teams for reconnaissance and artillery fire support roles. It features a 40mm cannon, coaxial mounted 7.62mm L94 chain gun, and a two-man turret.
Initial Deployment by 2025
A total of 589 vehicles were ordered in 2014 as a replacement for Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) armored fighting vehicles.
Its initial deployment is expected in 2025 and full operational capability by October 2028 at the earliest.